7 Mind-Blowing Optical Illusion Experiments

Admittedly, not many kids are huge fans of physics and chemistry, but the following experiments are sure to pique their interest! With just a few ingredients, they can create great optical illusions and perform amazing tricks that are almost like magic. And these experiments aren't just for kids – you'll have a great time overseeing the fun!

1. Waterproof Bag

You'll Need:

  • resealable plastic bag
  • colored pencils
  • pencil sharpener
  • water

Here's How:

Sharpen the colored pencils, fill the plastic bag with water and close it, and push the pencils through the plastic bag. Despite the puncture marks, the bag doesn't leak! IT may seem like magic, but it's actually because the pressure from the water seals the bag.

2. Visible Water Particles

You'll Need:

  • water
  • wooden skewers
  • pliers
  • laser pointer

Here's How:

Dip the wooden skewer into a glass of tap water, clamp the stick with plier, and shine a laser pointer through the water droplet. Thanks to the laser pointer, you can now see the water particles magnified on the wall behind the glass.

3. Burning Sugar

You'll Need:

  • sand
  • lighter fluid
  • sugar
  • baking soda
  • lighter
  • casserole dish

Here's How:

Head outside, pour some sand in a casserole dish, and drizzle some lighter fluid over it. Mix the sugar and baking soda and add it to the sand. Now light the sugar on fire and see what happens! When baking soda burns, it produces carbon dioxide, and the pressure from the carbon dioxide pushes the sugar out of the sand.

4. Matter of Perspective

You'll Need:

  • Rubik's cube
  • camera
  • scissors

Here's How:

Take a picture of a Rubik's cube with a high-resolution camera, print out the picture, and cut out the cube exactly. Now place the picture on a table in front of you. If you look at the photo head-on, it looks like the cube is in front of you, but once you change your position, you realize it's all a trick!

5. Magnetic Matchstick 

You'll Need:

  • magnet
  • matches

Here's How:

If matches are unused, the magnet will not attract them. But once the match burns, it produces iron, thus attracting the magnet.

6. Backwards Water

You'll Need:

  • glass
  • water
  • sign with arrows on it

Here's How:

Place a piece of paper with arrows on it behind a glass. Fill the glass with water and marvel at how the direction of the arrows changes. What looks like magic is simple physics: the light is refracted as it passes from one material to another.

7. Swimming Shapes

You'll Need:

  • casserole dish
  • paper
  • scissors
  • dish soap
  • pipette

Here's How:

Pour some water in a casserole dish, cut some shapes out of paper, place them in the dish, and use a pipette to add some dish soap to the dish. Because soap breaks down the surface tension of water, you will see the shapes propelled across the surface.

After these experiments, everyone young and old alike will want to head straight out to the lab and continue experimenting. So grab your goggles and lab coats and get going!

Comments

Also hefty